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School, for those who care
Jan. 20th, 2004 08:32 pmHad my first day of classes today. This semester's gonna be interesting. Combinatorics looks like it'll be fun, just as I'd hoped; also there won't be terribly much in the way of actual work to do, and the professor is one of the most approachable I've ever had. Numerical Analysis, on the other hand, will be a challenge. I've always been lousy at analysis; this might actually be easier because it's more calculation and less theory, but on the other hand that may make it harder as it involves remembering formulas (not something I'm great at). And to do the assignments properly I'm going to have to learn Matlab. Yay purchasing software when I've already spent more than usual on textbooks this term.
I'm also taking a couple of courses for GE requirements; the International and Area Studies class starts Monday and I have no idea what it'll be like, but Brain, Mind and Behavior (MCB for non-biology majors) seems damn cool so far. Cognitive science has always been one of my odd little side interests, and you really can't beat a class where the lectures include Kubrick films. Only problem is I'm not officially even on the waiting list yet, and there may be difficulty getting on it and also finding a non-crowded discussion section that doesn't either conflict with the rest of my schedule (less of a concern, as I imagine I can manage to two-time) or involve getting up early (much more of a concern, given the whole sleep-disorder thing. Oh, an update on that: the CPAP machine hasn't really accomplished anything so far, after a month of use; being chronically congested as I seem to be means that having my throat kept from closing up doesn't help because I still can't breathe through my nose. Thanks to some serious intervention on the part of the scheduling gods, I got to consult with a different doctor than the one I'd seen before, who'd been almost impossible to talk to; this new guy diagnosed allergic rhinitis and prescribed corticosteroids. My fingers are crossed that they'll kick in soon.)
Now more than ever, I need to get through these classes and graduate this semester. Apparently the UC's funding has been cut yet again by Our Dear Governor, meaning fees are going to be hiked still more next year (this year they've already gone up by 20 percent.)
I'm also taking a couple of courses for GE requirements; the International and Area Studies class starts Monday and I have no idea what it'll be like, but Brain, Mind and Behavior (MCB for non-biology majors) seems damn cool so far. Cognitive science has always been one of my odd little side interests, and you really can't beat a class where the lectures include Kubrick films. Only problem is I'm not officially even on the waiting list yet, and there may be difficulty getting on it and also finding a non-crowded discussion section that doesn't either conflict with the rest of my schedule (less of a concern, as I imagine I can manage to two-time) or involve getting up early (much more of a concern, given the whole sleep-disorder thing. Oh, an update on that: the CPAP machine hasn't really accomplished anything so far, after a month of use; being chronically congested as I seem to be means that having my throat kept from closing up doesn't help because I still can't breathe through my nose. Thanks to some serious intervention on the part of the scheduling gods, I got to consult with a different doctor than the one I'd seen before, who'd been almost impossible to talk to; this new guy diagnosed allergic rhinitis and prescribed corticosteroids. My fingers are crossed that they'll kick in soon.)
Now more than ever, I need to get through these classes and graduate this semester. Apparently the UC's funding has been cut yet again by Our Dear Governor, meaning fees are going to be hiked still more next year (this year they've already gone up by 20 percent.)
